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The Melody of Shattered Gold
The thrilling prequel to The Ballad of Johnny Carlo is here.
The Mafia is changing, but one family is trying to retain the old ways. Emilio Oro heads his family with an iron fist and a strict code of honor. Unfortunately, he’s getting older, and he needs an heir apparent, but only an Oro has ever been in charge. Thankfully, his oldest nephew, the intelligent and promising Louis, might have what it takes to be the boss one day if he can learn to develop a ruthlessness fit for a Don.
However enemies lurk around every corner, some even wearing the guise of friends. As the family finds itself in a war on two fronts, and their allies dwindling, Emilio worries not only for the legacy of his family, but for the very lives of everyone he loves. Nobody is safe, and Louis may be their only hope for a future. The question is, when the dust settles, will there even be enough of a family for Louis to lead?
The Mafia is changing, but one family is trying to retain the old ways. Emilio Oro heads his family with an iron fist and a strict code of honor. Unfortunately, he’s getting older, and he needs an heir apparent, but only an Oro has ever been in charge. Thankfully, his oldest nephew, the intelligent and promising Louis, might have what it takes to be the boss one day if he can learn to develop a ruthlessness fit for a Don.
However enemies lurk around every corner, some even wearing the guise of friends. As the family finds itself in a war on two fronts, and their allies dwindling, Emilio worries not only for the legacy of his family, but for the very lives of everyone he loves. Nobody is safe, and Louis may be their only hope for a future. The question is, when the dust settles, will there even be enough of a family for Louis to lead?
- GenresCrime
569 pages, Kindle Edition
Published September 30, 2024
23 people are currently reading
62 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 79 reviews
January 22, 2025
If you love crime thrillers as much as I do then you’re going to love this one! Throw in an old school mafia family and you got me hooked! Loved the multiple POVs, lots of drama and suspense, and twists that I never saw coming. I enjoy thrillers that keep me guessing and this did just that!
February 23, 2025
3.5/5 🌟
This felt like watching a whole season of the sopranos or sons of anarchy(but make it mafia). SO much happened and there’s so many people who you get to know. I had no idea where it was going to go next, I say that in the best way. The ending… I don’t know what to say so I don’t give it away. It was poetic in a sense though. This is not a happy book. Lots and lots of people 💀. It’s kind of neat that the next book is about Johnny because he was probably my favorite character for some reason.
All in all, I had a pretty good time reading this. It’s really long and epic. If you’re into books about nothing but the mafia then I’d say give this a chance!
This felt like watching a whole season of the sopranos or sons of anarchy(but make it mafia). SO much happened and there’s so many people who you get to know. I had no idea where it was going to go next, I say that in the best way. The ending… I don’t know what to say so I don’t give it away. It was poetic in a sense though. This is not a happy book. Lots and lots of people 💀. It’s kind of neat that the next book is about Johnny because he was probably my favorite character for some reason.
All in all, I had a pretty good time reading this. It’s really long and epic. If you’re into books about nothing but the mafia then I’d say give this a chance!
September 29, 2024
This is a fast paced crime thriller exploring an old school style mafia world, primarily following 3 brothers and their families criminal empire.
I enjoyed the varying POV, action scenes, suspense, and the exploration of mafia rivalries and family loyalty.
There were some great twists and emotional moments, and it was an interesting world to dive into, keeping you guessing till the end.
Some characters were frustrating and it made you question their logic and motivations, but it was interesting seeing the decision making and consequences play out, and the violent ways of tying up loose ends.
It's an entertaining plot that keeps you guessing and wondering who will still be alive at the end.
💀 "The time of the Mafia was over, it was their era now, the era of the Russian Bratva"
💀 "Jesus Christ, if you weren't my brother, I'd consider whacking you myself"
💀 "War is costly and breeds nothing but enemies and grudges amongst friends"
💀 "Proceed. No quarter. No witnesses. No survivors. Scorched earth. Everyone dies"
💀"You and I can watch both our lives crash down together. I'll even bring popcorn"
I enjoyed the varying POV, action scenes, suspense, and the exploration of mafia rivalries and family loyalty.
There were some great twists and emotional moments, and it was an interesting world to dive into, keeping you guessing till the end.
Some characters were frustrating and it made you question their logic and motivations, but it was interesting seeing the decision making and consequences play out, and the violent ways of tying up loose ends.
It's an entertaining plot that keeps you guessing and wondering who will still be alive at the end.
💀 "The time of the Mafia was over, it was their era now, the era of the Russian Bratva"
💀 "Jesus Christ, if you weren't my brother, I'd consider whacking you myself"
💀 "War is costly and breeds nothing but enemies and grudges amongst friends"
💀 "Proceed. No quarter. No witnesses. No survivors. Scorched earth. Everyone dies"
💀"You and I can watch both our lives crash down together. I'll even bring popcorn"
September 21, 2024
Thank you to the author James Michels for sending me the ARC of this book.
I thoroughly enjoyed this read - if you love crime thrillers then this is definitely worth taking a look at.
Multiple povs, plenty of action and suspense, and a fair few twists that I never saw coming!! A few times I thought I had worked out how a situation would turn out, but James was always one step ahead and threw me off completely - fantastic writing.
I never knew which character to root for - as it was based on a mafia family, rivalling other families, so no-one was particularly innocent - but towards the end, I did find myself secretly hoping a few characters succeeded in their (quite brutal but necessary) mission.
I will admit, I cried at the ending, I am an emotional person but I never thought I would be so upset at a mafia crime thriller!! James knows how to tug at your heart strings.
For sure a 4star read, and I look forward to reading the other books in this series.
I thoroughly enjoyed this read - if you love crime thrillers then this is definitely worth taking a look at.
Multiple povs, plenty of action and suspense, and a fair few twists that I never saw coming!! A few times I thought I had worked out how a situation would turn out, but James was always one step ahead and threw me off completely - fantastic writing.
I never knew which character to root for - as it was based on a mafia family, rivalling other families, so no-one was particularly innocent - but towards the end, I did find myself secretly hoping a few characters succeeded in their (quite brutal but necessary) mission.
I will admit, I cried at the ending, I am an emotional person but I never thought I would be so upset at a mafia crime thriller!! James knows how to tug at your heart strings.
For sure a 4star read, and I look forward to reading the other books in this series.
September 10, 2024
I want to thank the author for allowing me to advance read!
Normally not my type of book I gravitate towards, but was pleasantly surprised. There was so much drama, suspense and twists packed into these pages. When you think you have something figured out, here comes something unexpected, which I love.
There was such great attention to details throughout the entire book, you could clearly envision what the author is detailing.
There were a lot of different characters but that is to be expected with such an extensive family line.
If you like a thriller with a mafia family, this book is for you.
Normally not my type of book I gravitate towards, but was pleasantly surprised. There was so much drama, suspense and twists packed into these pages. When you think you have something figured out, here comes something unexpected, which I love.
There was such great attention to details throughout the entire book, you could clearly envision what the author is detailing.
There were a lot of different characters but that is to be expected with such an extensive family line.
If you like a thriller with a mafia family, this book is for you.
December 18, 2024
Summary:
The Melody of Shattered Gold by James Michels is a gripping crime fiction novel that delves into the lives of the Oro family, a powerful Staten Island mafia dynasty. The story is steeped in family dynamics, loyalty, betrayal, and the unrelenting grip of organized crime. Emilio Oro, the seasoned patriarch, balances his violent past and advancing age with his responsibilities to guide the family. Meanwhile, his nephew Louis, intelligent and driven, faces the challenge of modernizing the family’s operations amidst growing threats from rival factions, such as the Russian mob led by the brutal Andrei Lev.
The plot unfolds with intense action, including assassination attempts, power plays, and internal struggles within the Oro family as they grapple with their legacy and survival in a world where alliances shift and danger is ever-present.
Thoughts for Your Review:
Although this isn’t my usual genre, I was drawn in by Michels’ dynamic writing style and ability to craft compelling characters. The prose balances gritty realism with moments of dark humor and introspection, keeping the pacing sharp and the stakes high. Michels does a great job weaving intricate relationships and high-stakes action, making the world of the Oro family feel vibrant and authentic.
The dialogue stood out as particularly engaging, capturing the tension and camaraderie between characters. While it’s a heavy, crime-laden narrative, the emotional depth of the characters and the exploration of family dynamics added a layer of complexity I appreciated.
This novel might not be my standard pick, but I’m glad I ventured into this genre. The story of The Melody of Shattered Gold offers a fresh take on the mafia trope with its modern twists and rich character development. It’s a worthwhile read for those who enjoy intricate crime dramas with a heart.
The Melody of Shattered Gold by James Michels is a gripping crime fiction novel that delves into the lives of the Oro family, a powerful Staten Island mafia dynasty. The story is steeped in family dynamics, loyalty, betrayal, and the unrelenting grip of organized crime. Emilio Oro, the seasoned patriarch, balances his violent past and advancing age with his responsibilities to guide the family. Meanwhile, his nephew Louis, intelligent and driven, faces the challenge of modernizing the family’s operations amidst growing threats from rival factions, such as the Russian mob led by the brutal Andrei Lev.
The plot unfolds with intense action, including assassination attempts, power plays, and internal struggles within the Oro family as they grapple with their legacy and survival in a world where alliances shift and danger is ever-present.
Thoughts for Your Review:
Although this isn’t my usual genre, I was drawn in by Michels’ dynamic writing style and ability to craft compelling characters. The prose balances gritty realism with moments of dark humor and introspection, keeping the pacing sharp and the stakes high. Michels does a great job weaving intricate relationships and high-stakes action, making the world of the Oro family feel vibrant and authentic.
The dialogue stood out as particularly engaging, capturing the tension and camaraderie between characters. While it’s a heavy, crime-laden narrative, the emotional depth of the characters and the exploration of family dynamics added a layer of complexity I appreciated.
This novel might not be my standard pick, but I’m glad I ventured into this genre. The story of The Melody of Shattered Gold offers a fresh take on the mafia trope with its modern twists and rich character development. It’s a worthwhile read for those who enjoy intricate crime dramas with a heart.
January 17, 2025
like a mobster with a karaoke mic - chaotic, gripping, and strangely unforgettable
October 24, 2024
ARC Review
The Melody of Shattered Gold by James Michels
I am privileged to have been chosen to receive and review an advanced copy of The Melody of Shatter Gold by James Michels. This is a mafia/crime thriller that is centered around several different crime families in New York City.
War seems to always be simmering under the surface between the various crime families in NYC. Most often, there is a begrudging peace out of mutual benefit. But all that is going to change with the hasty actions of one underboss trying to move his family to the top of the food chain.
I found this book to be kind of like potato chips. I would start to read and there would be a point where I would look down, realize I had just read 50 pages in what felt like the blink of an eye. Kind of like when you pop open a bag of chips intending to eat a few and the next thing you know, you’re staring at the bottom of the bag.
I did find the story to be a little predictable. I do read quite a bit of thriller/psychological dramas so that could be why.
The characters were almost all stereotypical representations of the various ethnicities associated with organized crime. Their actions were also typical of an organized crime themed book or TV show.
One of the interesting things that I ran into with this book was that it is being narrated in the third person but follows many different characters. While this is normally not an issue for me, in the version I read, there are no page breaks or headings to denote that we are now following a different character. I had to be a little more vigilant about my character tracking than normal.
It is possible that this is a formatting issue in the version I read but I think that some sort of page break or header when changing to a different character that is not already in the scene would be helpful in keeping the storyline straight.
All the switching between multiple character storylines did make for a fast read.
Something else to watch out for is the number of characters portrayed, many of whom were referred to by nicknames or aliases. For me personally, I think a character list at the beginning of each chapter, divided into the various represented families, would have been helpful in keeping everyone straight. With all the crime families involved and the shifting alliances, it would also be a good way to keep track of everything that was happening.
While being as spoiler free as possible, I felt that the ending was fairly open. It definitely left an opportunity for books to follow. If not, I guess the ending could be seen as leaning more toward a “real life” portrayal. All in all, I wanted to know if there was going to be more in store for the Oro family.
Overall ⭐️⭐️⭐️
I received this advance copy from the author via email in exchange for an honest review and feedback.
The Melody of Shattered Gold by James Michels
I am privileged to have been chosen to receive and review an advanced copy of The Melody of Shatter Gold by James Michels. This is a mafia/crime thriller that is centered around several different crime families in New York City.
War seems to always be simmering under the surface between the various crime families in NYC. Most often, there is a begrudging peace out of mutual benefit. But all that is going to change with the hasty actions of one underboss trying to move his family to the top of the food chain.
I found this book to be kind of like potato chips. I would start to read and there would be a point where I would look down, realize I had just read 50 pages in what felt like the blink of an eye. Kind of like when you pop open a bag of chips intending to eat a few and the next thing you know, you’re staring at the bottom of the bag.
I did find the story to be a little predictable. I do read quite a bit of thriller/psychological dramas so that could be why.
The characters were almost all stereotypical representations of the various ethnicities associated with organized crime. Their actions were also typical of an organized crime themed book or TV show.
One of the interesting things that I ran into with this book was that it is being narrated in the third person but follows many different characters. While this is normally not an issue for me, in the version I read, there are no page breaks or headings to denote that we are now following a different character. I had to be a little more vigilant about my character tracking than normal.
It is possible that this is a formatting issue in the version I read but I think that some sort of page break or header when changing to a different character that is not already in the scene would be helpful in keeping the storyline straight.
All the switching between multiple character storylines did make for a fast read.
Something else to watch out for is the number of characters portrayed, many of whom were referred to by nicknames or aliases. For me personally, I think a character list at the beginning of each chapter, divided into the various represented families, would have been helpful in keeping everyone straight. With all the crime families involved and the shifting alliances, it would also be a good way to keep track of everything that was happening.
While being as spoiler free as possible, I felt that the ending was fairly open. It definitely left an opportunity for books to follow. If not, I guess the ending could be seen as leaning more toward a “real life” portrayal. All in all, I wanted to know if there was going to be more in store for the Oro family.
Overall ⭐️⭐️⭐️
I received this advance copy from the author via email in exchange for an honest review and feedback.
November 1, 2024
Everything in life changes, and the Mafia is no exception. Like nearly every living thing, if you don’t change, you die. Author James Michels reminds us in “The Melody of Shattered Gold” that in this case, in the life of organized crime, even if you do change, you stand a good chance of dying anyway.
And that’s the problem Emilio Oro and his crime family have. Emilio is getting older, and he knows he needs to pass the control on to someone else. Emilio has always led with a strong hand and truly believes in the old ways of La Cosa Nostra, its code of honor and loyalty to the family. His brothers are getting old as well. That means he’s going to groom his oldest nephew, Louis, to be the new boss. Louis is young, smart, and intelligent in the new ways of earning for the family, but inexperienced in the violent side of things. He needs to be trained to be a killer if he is to succeed. This is where Emilio Oro brings in Johnny Carlo, a seasoned professional, to be the teacher.
Get out your calculator and a pencil and paper; you’re going to need it to keep track of the body count and who’s siding up with who. Victims and allies and traitors pile up like chopped wood.
Set in modern day New York City, “The Melody of Shattered Gold” is a fantastically fast-paced crime thriller.
Violent for sure; we are talking about the Mafia and other than making money, killing is their next favorite subject. No one is safe in this world, or in this story. The calculator will be needed to keep track of the killing, and the pencil and paper will be needed to keep track of the characters. With the Oro family beset on two sides in a turf war with a Russian organization and with another Mafia family, the paper will help you keep track of who is siding with who. Add to the violence, the romance and sexual tension between Louis and the granddaughter of that rival crime family, as well as the girlfriend of one of his uncles, and Johnny and that same granddaughter, and you’ve got a recipe for intrigue and adventure.
This is what makes this book such a great read. The betrayal is so true-to-life, the dialog so real, the settings so believable and the storyline so compelling, I finished this book within days of getting it. This is the fifth work by James Michel and is a prequel to his previous book, “The Ballad of Johnny Carlo,” published in 2022.
And that’s the problem Emilio Oro and his crime family have. Emilio is getting older, and he knows he needs to pass the control on to someone else. Emilio has always led with a strong hand and truly believes in the old ways of La Cosa Nostra, its code of honor and loyalty to the family. His brothers are getting old as well. That means he’s going to groom his oldest nephew, Louis, to be the new boss. Louis is young, smart, and intelligent in the new ways of earning for the family, but inexperienced in the violent side of things. He needs to be trained to be a killer if he is to succeed. This is where Emilio Oro brings in Johnny Carlo, a seasoned professional, to be the teacher.
Get out your calculator and a pencil and paper; you’re going to need it to keep track of the body count and who’s siding up with who. Victims and allies and traitors pile up like chopped wood.
Set in modern day New York City, “The Melody of Shattered Gold” is a fantastically fast-paced crime thriller.
Violent for sure; we are talking about the Mafia and other than making money, killing is their next favorite subject. No one is safe in this world, or in this story. The calculator will be needed to keep track of the killing, and the pencil and paper will be needed to keep track of the characters. With the Oro family beset on two sides in a turf war with a Russian organization and with another Mafia family, the paper will help you keep track of who is siding with who. Add to the violence, the romance and sexual tension between Louis and the granddaughter of that rival crime family, as well as the girlfriend of one of his uncles, and Johnny and that same granddaughter, and you’ve got a recipe for intrigue and adventure.
This is what makes this book such a great read. The betrayal is so true-to-life, the dialog so real, the settings so believable and the storyline so compelling, I finished this book within days of getting it. This is the fifth work by James Michel and is a prequel to his previous book, “The Ballad of Johnny Carlo,” published in 2022.
February 4, 2025
✨The Melody of Shattered Gold by James Michels Full Review
Tropes:
🖤 Mafia novel
🕴🏼 High action
🖤 Double cross
🕴🏼 Family drama
🖤 Coming of age
🕴🏼 High stakes
Spice level: 🌶️🌶️
A mafia thriller novel that takes you for a ride alongside numerous characters. This is not my typical type of book that I read, but I truly enjoyed it.
In The Melody of Shattered Gold, we follow a few families that are struggling in a battle of who runs the baddest mafia family and who is the bigger boss. The story unfolds as this conflict comes to a peak and a mafia war is waged. Who will outwit others, and who will outfit their family with more protection to win the war? Unexpected plot twists, some double crosses, coming of age, and high stakes dominate this fantastic book.
The character building in this book is remarkable, especially with the number of moving characters. The main family that we follow is so ride or 💀 and gangster, but when they're together by themselves, they're just a regular old family, and I loved that the author really defined their personalities as (mostly) different while doing a "job" and off time with family. Side characters are written very well too.
I was definitely rooting for certain characters and certain situations to occur, and while this book may tear your heart out and slam it on the ground in a couple of instances, that's definitely part of its intrigue. I'm definitely interested in what the future holds for these mafia families.
Thank you to the author for gifting me a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
Rating: ⭐4.0⭐
_________________________________________
Check out my profile for other reviews and my socials
IG: @bookish.n.tea
Tiktok: @bookish.n.tea
Tome: @bookishntea
Tropes:
🖤 Mafia novel
🕴🏼 High action
🖤 Double cross
🕴🏼 Family drama
🖤 Coming of age
🕴🏼 High stakes
Spice level: 🌶️🌶️
A mafia thriller novel that takes you for a ride alongside numerous characters. This is not my typical type of book that I read, but I truly enjoyed it.
In The Melody of Shattered Gold, we follow a few families that are struggling in a battle of who runs the baddest mafia family and who is the bigger boss. The story unfolds as this conflict comes to a peak and a mafia war is waged. Who will outwit others, and who will outfit their family with more protection to win the war? Unexpected plot twists, some double crosses, coming of age, and high stakes dominate this fantastic book.
The character building in this book is remarkable, especially with the number of moving characters. The main family that we follow is so ride or 💀 and gangster, but when they're together by themselves, they're just a regular old family, and I loved that the author really defined their personalities as (mostly) different while doing a "job" and off time with family. Side characters are written very well too.
I was definitely rooting for certain characters and certain situations to occur, and while this book may tear your heart out and slam it on the ground in a couple of instances, that's definitely part of its intrigue. I'm definitely interested in what the future holds for these mafia families.
Thank you to the author for gifting me a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
Rating: ⭐4.0⭐
_________________________________________
Check out my profile for other reviews and my socials
IG: @bookish.n.tea
Tiktok: @bookish.n.tea
Tome: @bookishntea
August 16, 2024
Author Name: James Edward Michels
Book Name: The Melody of Shattered Gold
My Rating: 5/5🌟
Publication date : sep 30, 2024
Summary:
"The Melody of Shattered Gold" tells the story of the Oro family, an American Mafia family led by Emilio Oro. As Emilio grows older, he is determined to find a successor who can lead the family with the same iron fist. His nephew Louis shows great promise, but the family’s survival is threatened by a fierce war with both American and Russian Mafia factions, led by the ruthless Argento Dominic. As alliances shift and enemies lurk everywhere, the Oro family fights for their legacy and their lives.
My Thoughts:
This was my first complete Mafia story, and I didn’t expect to enjoy it as much as I did. From the beginning, I was pulled into the Oro family’s world.
The story follows the Oro family, led by the strong and smart Emilio, who is trying to protect his family and find the next leader among his relatives. The characters in this book are fascinating. I especially loved Feya, Emilio, Felix, Massimo, sam and Walt. Their roles and the intense situations they find themselves in made my heart race,
especially during the fights and shootouts. One of the best parts of the book is the battle between Louis Oro and the Cambodians, and the arguments between Sam and Maria , End Mission of Roberto and Walt Chosky's ruthless shooting scenes were some of my favorites.They show just how brutal and exciting this Mafia world is.
However, I had mixed feelings about some characters. Louis Oro, Roberto, and Johnny were sometimes hard to understand, and I hated Vincent and Maria. Their actions, along with those of Dominic and Aurora, made me frustrated, but that just shows how good the writing is.
I was heartbroken by the deaths of the loyal soldiers, and the final killing left me shocked. The ending twist stunned me, and I literally cried. I really got attached to these characters, and it was tough to see them go.
I Recommend:
I highly recommend "The Melody of Shattered Gold" to anyone who enjoys crime fiction and thrillers. This book takes you on a thrilling and emotional journey into the world of the Mafia, with plenty of action, suspense, and family drama. Despite a few minor flaws, it’s an excellent read that will keep you captivated from start to finish.
I want to thank James Edward Michels for providing me with an ARC copy in exchange for my honest review. It was an exciting read, and I’m grateful for the opportunity to share my thoughts.
Book Name: The Melody of Shattered Gold
My Rating: 5/5🌟
Publication date : sep 30, 2024
Summary:
"The Melody of Shattered Gold" tells the story of the Oro family, an American Mafia family led by Emilio Oro. As Emilio grows older, he is determined to find a successor who can lead the family with the same iron fist. His nephew Louis shows great promise, but the family’s survival is threatened by a fierce war with both American and Russian Mafia factions, led by the ruthless Argento Dominic. As alliances shift and enemies lurk everywhere, the Oro family fights for their legacy and their lives.
My Thoughts:
This was my first complete Mafia story, and I didn’t expect to enjoy it as much as I did. From the beginning, I was pulled into the Oro family’s world.
The story follows the Oro family, led by the strong and smart Emilio, who is trying to protect his family and find the next leader among his relatives. The characters in this book are fascinating. I especially loved Feya, Emilio, Felix, Massimo, sam and Walt. Their roles and the intense situations they find themselves in made my heart race,
especially during the fights and shootouts. One of the best parts of the book is the battle between Louis Oro and the Cambodians, and the arguments between Sam and Maria , End Mission of Roberto and Walt Chosky's ruthless shooting scenes were some of my favorites.They show just how brutal and exciting this Mafia world is.
However, I had mixed feelings about some characters. Louis Oro, Roberto, and Johnny were sometimes hard to understand, and I hated Vincent and Maria. Their actions, along with those of Dominic and Aurora, made me frustrated, but that just shows how good the writing is.
I was heartbroken by the deaths of the loyal soldiers, and the final killing left me shocked. The ending twist stunned me, and I literally cried. I really got attached to these characters, and it was tough to see them go.
I Recommend:
I highly recommend "The Melody of Shattered Gold" to anyone who enjoys crime fiction and thrillers. This book takes you on a thrilling and emotional journey into the world of the Mafia, with plenty of action, suspense, and family drama. Despite a few minor flaws, it’s an excellent read that will keep you captivated from start to finish.
I want to thank James Edward Michels for providing me with an ARC copy in exchange for my honest review. It was an exciting read, and I’m grateful for the opportunity to share my thoughts.
September 3, 2024
The Oros are old school Mafia, three brothers who work together to rule their part of the New York City territory and keep the family business profitable. Emilio is looking to his nephew, Louis, to eventually become head of the family business. But the rules in the Mafia world are changing, and the Oro family has enemies on more than one front. The loyalties of those they've trusted for decades are now in question.
Most of my fictional Mafia experience has been in contemporary romance, so I was eager to read this one and see how it compares. There are so many players, and it takes some effort to keep them straight, but the fast pace and abundance of ruthless action kept me turning pages late into the night.
The final twist left me gob smacked. I hated it. I thought it was the worst choice of who to expire and who to carry over into future books. I’m still not over it and holding on to my mad. But I get it. It makes sense, whether I like it or not, in the grand scheme of this world. And I still have plenty of time to see the worst antagonists get what they deserve as the series continues.
This crime thriller is a wild, crazy, adrenaline-fueled ride, and I was there for every part of it. The world is compelling and I was on pins and needles as I watched the story unfold. Breath-taking, jaw-dropping, and riveting, this phenomenal work is sure to please lovers of fictional thrillers everywhere.
Most of my fictional Mafia experience has been in contemporary romance, so I was eager to read this one and see how it compares. There are so many players, and it takes some effort to keep them straight, but the fast pace and abundance of ruthless action kept me turning pages late into the night.
The final twist left me gob smacked. I hated it. I thought it was the worst choice of who to expire and who to carry over into future books. I’m still not over it and holding on to my mad. But I get it. It makes sense, whether I like it or not, in the grand scheme of this world. And I still have plenty of time to see the worst antagonists get what they deserve as the series continues.
This crime thriller is a wild, crazy, adrenaline-fueled ride, and I was there for every part of it. The world is compelling and I was on pins and needles as I watched the story unfold. Breath-taking, jaw-dropping, and riveting, this phenomenal work is sure to please lovers of fictional thrillers everywhere.
November 16, 2024
✨️ I was provided with a copy of this book by the author, but this does not affect my review in any way ✨️
Listen, I wanted to take down two stars from my rating due to how much I hated the ending, but I REALLY enjoyed this read and can't give it anything less than 4. My personal life got in the way slightly while reading this, so it took me 3 weeks to finish, but this was such a ride.
Constant action and twists leaving you on the edge of your seat wondering who will survive and who will be next to perish. I loved this a lot more than I initially thought I would as mafia books aren't usually my favourite genre, but the author did an amazing job on this one.
I did have to deduct a star due to ending. Other than disappointing me slightly, I felt like there was one specific character I didn't get to see anymore towards the end. I can't say very much without spoiling it for potential readers, but this character loses someone dear to them and we never get their POV again after this happens. They were such a strong and interesting character that I really would have liked to see a small chapter regarding their thoughts and feelings after the loss.
Other than that, I loved this book and would like to thank @jamesmichels for reaching out and offering me an e-copy. I'm so glad you did! 🖤
Listen, I wanted to take down two stars from my rating due to how much I hated the ending, but I REALLY enjoyed this read and can't give it anything less than 4. My personal life got in the way slightly while reading this, so it took me 3 weeks to finish, but this was such a ride.
Constant action and twists leaving you on the edge of your seat wondering who will survive and who will be next to perish. I loved this a lot more than I initially thought I would as mafia books aren't usually my favourite genre, but the author did an amazing job on this one.
I did have to deduct a star due to ending. Other than disappointing me slightly, I felt like there was one specific character I didn't get to see anymore towards the end. I can't say very much without spoiling it for potential readers, but this character loses someone dear to them and we never get their POV again after this happens. They were such a strong and interesting character that I really would have liked to see a small chapter regarding their thoughts and feelings after the loss.
Other than that, I loved this book and would like to thank @jamesmichels for reaching out and offering me an e-copy. I'm so glad you did! 🖤
March 24, 2025
Rated 4.5/5
The writing was engaging and I didn't know what to expect next! There were certainly surprises along the way.
The chapters were a mix of lengths which meant that you got a good chunk of the story before moving on. The shorter chapters kept the story moving forward. There was a good pace to the story created by the different chapter length, and even though it was fairly long as a whole story I didn't feel the length. I got completely engrossed in the characters' world and I wanted to keep on reading to see what was going to happen next.
The chapters flowed well together which also helped to keep the story moving and kept me engrossed in the story.
The characters were excellent. The whole story was morally grey and each individual character had their own moral compass that was in favour of protecting their families at any cost. There was a lot of bloodshed which added to the suspense and tension.
Each of the characters had different layers and faces in order to get them through the day. You were never quite sure what was going to happen next and I was nervous for all of them at various times. There were some characters that I liked more than others, but I enjoyed reading about them all. Altogether they made for an interesting story.
Lastly the settings. The settings were only lightly described as it was a character based story. If it was important for the story, then the settings were described in more detail, which was good.
Overall an engaging read full of tension, suspense and emotion.
The writing was engaging and I didn't know what to expect next! There were certainly surprises along the way.
The chapters were a mix of lengths which meant that you got a good chunk of the story before moving on. The shorter chapters kept the story moving forward. There was a good pace to the story created by the different chapter length, and even though it was fairly long as a whole story I didn't feel the length. I got completely engrossed in the characters' world and I wanted to keep on reading to see what was going to happen next.
The chapters flowed well together which also helped to keep the story moving and kept me engrossed in the story.
The characters were excellent. The whole story was morally grey and each individual character had their own moral compass that was in favour of protecting their families at any cost. There was a lot of bloodshed which added to the suspense and tension.
Each of the characters had different layers and faces in order to get them through the day. You were never quite sure what was going to happen next and I was nervous for all of them at various times. There were some characters that I liked more than others, but I enjoyed reading about them all. Altogether they made for an interesting story.
Lastly the settings. The settings were only lightly described as it was a character based story. If it was important for the story, then the settings were described in more detail, which was good.
Overall an engaging read full of tension, suspense and emotion.
September 15, 2024
I've never read Mafia books, even the romance ones, so this was a new genre for me. From the beginning I was invested. Learning who was who, the big families, the bosses, the soldiers. It was a little overwhelming because there are so many people (this was not bad but a huge plus!). It starts off slowly, introducing the families, how they are tied together, but it picks up to deceit, backstabbing, 💀, heartache, and more. Around 200 pages in it gets intense! The wars are happening, you never know who's going to turn on who. Someone is offing everyone, but who? When you learn who one of the people betraying them is, you'll be like "this bish", it's so shady. It seems like everyone is with the Oro's but against them at the same time.
The story is LBGTQ friendly, one man is gay, while he's not open about it, there are parts that discuss him and his partners.
The ending. Without spoilers, I cried. My heart broke and only a small piece was returned. James Michels does a wonderful job at creating the story, making you fall in love, and then stomping all over it (in the best way possible). If you like crime, Mafia, and stories with a twist, The Melody of Shattered Gold is for you! I couldn't be happier that I gave this book a read!
The story is LBGTQ friendly, one man is gay, while he's not open about it, there are parts that discuss him and his partners.
The ending. Without spoilers, I cried. My heart broke and only a small piece was returned. James Michels does a wonderful job at creating the story, making you fall in love, and then stomping all over it (in the best way possible). If you like crime, Mafia, and stories with a twist, The Melody of Shattered Gold is for you! I couldn't be happier that I gave this book a read!
December 21, 2024
this book, even though it's not one of the first genres i'd typically choose to read, was really interesting, and i liked how the story unfolded. however, i can't deny that at some points, i got confused because there were so many characters. i understand that in this type of genre and books about the mafia, it's common to include many secondary characters and im not used to that in books. i'm not sure if it was because i didn't pay enough attention in some parts or if there really were just too many families, but personally, i did get a bit lost. still, i managed to understand and distinguish where each character came from.
i liked the ending and feel that it's left open to the reader's interpretation. i think it was very good, and i'm curious to see what happens with the Oro family. and ngl there were chapters that i was crying because i couldn't help it lol.
during my reading, i liked some characters more than others, and i enjoyed learning about them individually. if you enjoy books about thrillers, crime, and the mafia, i highly recommend this one. it was always full of drama, plot twists, and enemies! for me this book was an 3.8/4 stars!!!
i liked the ending and feel that it's left open to the reader's interpretation. i think it was very good, and i'm curious to see what happens with the Oro family. and ngl there were chapters that i was crying because i couldn't help it lol.
during my reading, i liked some characters more than others, and i enjoyed learning about them individually. if you enjoy books about thrillers, crime, and the mafia, i highly recommend this one. it was always full of drama, plot twists, and enemies! for me this book was an 3.8/4 stars!!!
September 25, 2024
First and foremost there are no words that I can form that would give this novel its true Justice, but I'm going to try.
The Melody of Shattered Gold is the kind of novel that grabs you from your soul and holds you there long after the tale is finished. And that, for me as a reader, means everything; when you get swept away into the world of messy mob business, you know the author dedicated their time and soul crafting their characters and story. James Michels held nothing back in this novel. It was crafted superbly with just the right amount of drama, action, and everything else in between. I am truly grateful to James Michels for giving me the opportunity to ARC on this beautifully created tale of the Oro family. So, for you thrill seekers out there, if you're looking for a wild ride with twists and turns and unsuspected enemies, James Michels' The Melody of Shattered Gold is the novel for you. Make sure to grab a copy.
The Melody of Shattered Gold is the kind of novel that grabs you from your soul and holds you there long after the tale is finished. And that, for me as a reader, means everything; when you get swept away into the world of messy mob business, you know the author dedicated their time and soul crafting their characters and story. James Michels held nothing back in this novel. It was crafted superbly with just the right amount of drama, action, and everything else in between. I am truly grateful to James Michels for giving me the opportunity to ARC on this beautifully created tale of the Oro family. So, for you thrill seekers out there, if you're looking for a wild ride with twists and turns and unsuspected enemies, James Michels' The Melody of Shattered Gold is the novel for you. Make sure to grab a copy.
December 15, 2024
Wow, wow, wow what a ride!
This is a mafia book, and I’ve never really been into mafia-stuff before, I mean I’ve never even seen The Godfather (I know I know) but I am definitely into it now!
This book follows different mafia families and their heirs and soldiers, it starts with a assasination attempt on a mafia boss gone wrong, and this leads to an almost all out war between all the players in the criminal underworld.
And oh my god, there was never a dull moment in this book, things just kept happening, so many twists it’s insane, it was such a fun ride to read, while it always keeps the heart of the story which is family and what we mean to each other. It was truly so well done.
I was gifted this book by the author, in exchange for a honest review, so thank you so much James!
I really loved this book.
I even decided to watch all the Godfather movies now during Christmas thanks to this book!
This is a mafia book, and I’ve never really been into mafia-stuff before, I mean I’ve never even seen The Godfather (I know I know) but I am definitely into it now!
This book follows different mafia families and their heirs and soldiers, it starts with a assasination attempt on a mafia boss gone wrong, and this leads to an almost all out war between all the players in the criminal underworld.
And oh my god, there was never a dull moment in this book, things just kept happening, so many twists it’s insane, it was such a fun ride to read, while it always keeps the heart of the story which is family and what we mean to each other. It was truly so well done.
I was gifted this book by the author, in exchange for a honest review, so thank you so much James!
I really loved this book.
I even decided to watch all the Godfather movies now during Christmas thanks to this book!
January 2, 2025
Faced paced crime thriller featuring Italian mafia La Costa Nostra families and Russian Bratva.
Such a lot happens in this book but even with the various characters and families it was easy to follow.
Where loyalty is key and betrayals galore the body count only gets higher, a great dark underworld thriller which I throughly enjoyed.
The story followed the Oro family headed by Don Emilio with his brothers Roberto and Giuseppe by his side, with no children of his own he sees his nephew Louis as his heir apparent and follows his rise in the family business.
Lots of twists and turns kept me hooked desperate to know what happens, I didn’t realise this was a prequel so I will definitely be reading the Ballad of Jonny Carlo to see what happens with the families.
I loved Jonny and Vincent they were wonderfully dark working in the shadows following orders from the Argento family who have they own agenda.
Such a lot happens in this book but even with the various characters and families it was easy to follow.
Where loyalty is key and betrayals galore the body count only gets higher, a great dark underworld thriller which I throughly enjoyed.
The story followed the Oro family headed by Don Emilio with his brothers Roberto and Giuseppe by his side, with no children of his own he sees his nephew Louis as his heir apparent and follows his rise in the family business.
Lots of twists and turns kept me hooked desperate to know what happens, I didn’t realise this was a prequel so I will definitely be reading the Ballad of Jonny Carlo to see what happens with the families.
I loved Jonny and Vincent they were wonderfully dark working in the shadows following orders from the Argento family who have they own agenda.
February 21, 2025
The Melody of Shattered Gold is a straightforward mafia thriller about mafia families living in New York. There are several Italian mob families, plus Russian and Cambodian gangsters. There is a lot of illegal activity going on, including lots of brutal killing. This book reminded me of the Sopranos, except that the writing style was more straightforward. I’m not sure if I got the finalized version of the book or not, but the grammar and spelling could’ve used some tidying up at places.
This book had multiple POVs, and consequently there were multiple main characters. There was a lot of action and unexpected twists - you never knew who was getting killed next. This was an ok read for me - I prefer more descriptive language. This is a book for you if you like
📖 mafia stories
📖 action packed storyline
📖 multiple pov
📖 tight family ties
📖 plot twists
⭐️⭐️
This book had multiple POVs, and consequently there were multiple main characters. There was a lot of action and unexpected twists - you never knew who was getting killed next. This was an ok read for me - I prefer more descriptive language. This is a book for you if you like
📖 mafia stories
📖 action packed storyline
📖 multiple pov
📖 tight family ties
📖 plot twists
⭐️⭐️
November 14, 2024
this book was fantastic! it was the first time i've read a mafia storyline and it definitely did not disappoint. the characters we so diverse in their personalities that you truly loved some and absolutely hated others! i'm a person who is always suspicious of characters but even so i still wasn't able to guess the twists that were taking place especially the ending!! this story was very complex and well thought out and it worried me a bit when i started it knowing that it was going to follow so many different characters but it was done very well and i was in no way confused about what was going on! thank you so much for giving me this opportunity to read your book James! i cannot wait for others in the future!
March 4, 2025
I read this book after being approached by the author to read the book. After sending through the first couple of chapters and a synopsis, I asked the author if they were looking for a review and instead they just said "You can buy it if you like it".
I'm all for supporting authors but the generic email of 'I think you'll like my book, buy it.' just doesn't sit well with me.
I was already off on the wrong foot, so I probably went into this book a little more critical than usual. While the premise was good, the execution was a little off. I found it was a lot of telling and not showing which made it boring. The sentence structure was off as well.
And even though it isn't always a reflection of the content, the cover is super off putting and doesn't help tell the story. It is also quite unreadable.
I wish I had more to say, but this wasn't for me.
I'm all for supporting authors but the generic email of 'I think you'll like my book, buy it.' just doesn't sit well with me.
I was already off on the wrong foot, so I probably went into this book a little more critical than usual. While the premise was good, the execution was a little off. I found it was a lot of telling and not showing which made it boring. The sentence structure was off as well.
And even though it isn't always a reflection of the content, the cover is super off putting and doesn't help tell the story. It is also quite unreadable.
I wish I had more to say, but this wasn't for me.
August 30, 2024
When first reading The Melody of Shattered Gold I was unsure if I was the target audience. I typically read crime thrillers about serial killers, so taking on the Mafia was a whole new experience for me.
The characters were developed well, and it didn’t take long for me to be hooked. James Michels did an excellent job making each character relatable in some way or another. The themes of power and loyalty are strong within the book. All in all this was an intense read and I loved it.
Thank you to James Michels for giving me the opportunity to read an ARC in exchange for an honest review
The characters were developed well, and it didn’t take long for me to be hooked. James Michels did an excellent job making each character relatable in some way or another. The themes of power and loyalty are strong within the book. All in all this was an intense read and I loved it.
Thank you to James Michels for giving me the opportunity to read an ARC in exchange for an honest review
September 29, 2024
Thank You to the author for sending this as an ARC for me to read! This normally would not be my go to when choosing a book as I typically read romance or fantasy with some thriller or suspense randomly thrown in. If you like a good mafia book that has some action and is suspenseful, I definitely recommend this! This book pulled me in from the very beginning. There are a lot of characters and it is multiple POV but each character is so important to the story. This story follows the Oro family and definitely made me think of the Sopranos multiple times. I'm looking forward to reading more by this author!
September 24, 2024
The Melody Of Shattered Gold was such an interesting and twisty story, though a tricky one to get into as there was a lot of world building and also a lot of people introduced very quickly which muddled my mind.
Once I had met all of the main characters and got the lay of the land the story was incredible, the twists and turns were brilliant, you never really know what is going to happen.
Now I know all of the characters and some family lore I'm very intrigued to read the books based on some of these characters and anymore to come.
Once I had met all of the main characters and got the lay of the land the story was incredible, the twists and turns were brilliant, you never really know what is going to happen.
Now I know all of the characters and some family lore I'm very intrigued to read the books based on some of these characters and anymore to come.
November 5, 2024
ARC Review - This was a big step out of my reading comfort zone. I had never really read anything like this. But I was surprised at how the story kept me interested all the way through!
There was great character development and depth, lots of suspense and action, and a really interesting storyline!
If you love mafia thrillers, you'll love this one!
I didn't love the amount of swearing and explicit scenes in this book, though. It was a bit too much for me. That's why I knocked off a couple of stars.
All in all, though, this was a really interesting and exciting story!
There was great character development and depth, lots of suspense and action, and a really interesting storyline!
If you love mafia thrillers, you'll love this one!
I didn't love the amount of swearing and explicit scenes in this book, though. It was a bit too much for me. That's why I knocked off a couple of stars.
All in all, though, this was a really interesting and exciting story!
November 22, 2024
This was my first Mafia thriller, I'm usually more a Mafia romance girly, but this definitely kept me on the edge of my seat.
The constant change of POVS was a bit hard to keep up with at first, but eventually, it all clicked into place, and the twists, turns, backstabbing, and heartbreak kept me hooked
The ending was a shock for me, and I wish it hadn't ended that way, but the book is still worth 4 stars!!!
The author did a great job of introducing characters, their families, and the plot!
The constant change of POVS was a bit hard to keep up with at first, but eventually, it all clicked into place, and the twists, turns, backstabbing, and heartbreak kept me hooked
The ending was a shock for me, and I wish it hadn't ended that way, but the book is still worth 4 stars!!!
The author did a great job of introducing characters, their families, and the plot!
January 8, 2025
This book was captivating. It kept me engaged the whole time! Fast paced with lots of actions. So many characters involved but I caught on pretty quickly.
I wish we got to see the aftermath of Sams death and the reaction from Andrei. I wanted to see Roberto learn the truth about Maria, too.
I did NOT expect to have my heart broken in the last few chapters, though. Damn you, man. Lol. This really was a great read and my first non-dark romance mafia book! I definitely recommend it to mafia crime readers!
I wish we got to see the aftermath of Sams death and the reaction from Andrei. I wanted to see Roberto learn the truth about Maria, too.
I did NOT expect to have my heart broken in the last few chapters, though. Damn you, man. Lol. This really was a great read and my first non-dark romance mafia book! I definitely recommend it to mafia crime readers!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
January 17, 2025
This book is about a mafia crime family which is not my usual genre. I have never read a mafia book before. I however enjoy the series the Sopranos. SO! I really really enjoyed this book. The characters were so well written. I felt like I would recognize them on the street. (I did kinda of picture a Soprano character for a few of them). I loved the family dynamic. I think Al families should love and support this strongly. (Without the violence).
The ending made me sad. It was not what I expected. It was a great read. I highly recommend it! I would definitely read this author again.
I could easily see this as a movie.
The ending made me sad. It was not what I expected. It was a great read. I highly recommend it! I would definitely read this author again.
I could easily see this as a movie.
September 26, 2024
This was an ARC Reader provided by the author.
It was like reading an action movie. The mafia is, of course, front and center. You see the different sides of politics that go along with running such a large criminal enterprise, such as dealing with other large criminal organizations. The writing is from almost every characters point of view at some point within the story. It creates a very dynamic and intriguing read. Some characters are growing old, others are growing up, others are in there prime, a few are legitimately serial killers. It makes for a fascinating read!
It was like reading an action movie. The mafia is, of course, front and center. You see the different sides of politics that go along with running such a large criminal enterprise, such as dealing with other large criminal organizations. The writing is from almost every characters point of view at some point within the story. It creates a very dynamic and intriguing read. Some characters are growing old, others are growing up, others are in there prime, a few are legitimately serial killers. It makes for a fascinating read!
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